Drafting table



y 195] l. v. STOVERN 2,554,599

DRAFTING TABLE Filed June 12, 1948 Patented May 29, 1 951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DRAFTING TABLE Application June 12, 1948, Serial N 0. 32,573

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to drafting tables and. has special reference to a novel table leg and support construction particularly suited for drafting tables.

An object of the invention is the provision in a drafting table of table top supporting means comprising at least one suitable rod member on a support, formed by interlocking parts, and novel clamping means for simultaneously securing the interlocking parts of the support and the rod member in a rigid adjusted relation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a drafting table of the above character having novel clamping means for securing the parts together as described that is readily accessible whereby the position of the table top may be readily adjusted to a desired position.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a drafting table of the above character of novel clamping means for securing the parts together as described that permits of easy assembly and disassembly of the component parts of the drafting table without special fitting of the parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a drafting table of the above character of novel supporting means for securing the parts together as described that is rugged, that is positive in its action and that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a drafting table embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the components of the drafting table in tightly assembled relation;

Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, the invention is shown embodied in a drawing table. In general, the table comprises a suitable top H having a flat upper surface and mounted on support l2 as :by spaced tubular or rod members 13 connected along one edge of the table top and spaced adjustable telescoping members M connected along the opposite edge of the table top. The tubular members It :are connected to the support E2 in a manner to be presently described and then extend upwardly from the support and as shown herein curve outwardly to be pivotally connected to one end of braces [6 extending transversely of the underside of the table top H and secured thereto in a conventional manner. It is to be understood that tubular members l3 may be straight or curved as shown depending on the relative pivotal connection desired. At one struction, only one of them will be described in' detail hereinafter. As shown, the base member I8 is formed by inclined legs 2| and 22. At their lower ends the legs are shaped to rest on the floor or the like, and at their upper ends the legs are in spaced relation and interconnected by a plate 23 secured to the outwardly facing side of the legs as by screws as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The upper ends of the legs are pre-shaped and are in spaced parallel relation, the spacing between the legs being slightly greater than the a width of the spreader l9 so that the legs 2| and 22 together with the interconnecting plate 23 form a pocket or slot 24 for the end of the spreader l9. A strip 26 secured to each leg 2| and 22, as by screws, and disposed on the inwardly facing side of the base member It provides a guide for the spreader [9 for positioning the parts during assembly and a rest for the spreader after the parts are assembled. The strip 26 also serves to reinforce and stiffen the sub-assembly seen in Fig. 4 and an intermediate bridging por-' tion 33 extends outwardly from the ends of the spreader. The bridging portion 33 at each end of the spreader in the assembled position of the parts extends through an aperture 34 in each plate 23 and projects beyond, the respective plates a suflicient distance so that the tubular members I3 supporting the table top II are embraced by 33 of the respective each U-shaped strap 21 and are in alinement A single hand screwv therewith as seen in Fig. 3. 4| threaded through each bridging portion 33, which may be reinforced by a memberAZ'secured thereto as by welding, is mounted to have its end abut against the respective tubular member I3.

The screws 4| may be adjusted; from a loosened position in which the tubular members I3 may be moved relative to the support I2 to adjust the height of the table top II, or they may be tightened to a position in which the screws 4! engage the tubular members I3 and force the latter into tight engagement with thesaddles 38 and 39 to positively secure the tubular members I3 in a fixed relation with the spreader I9 and the respective base members I8.

The above construction has many advantages both from an assembly standpoint and from a use standpoint.- From the aforegoing description it is apparent'that this construction may be assembled in a minimum of time. To assemble the support 12 it is only necessary to place a base member I8 at each end of the spreader I9 so that the end ofthe spreader I9 is received in the groove 24 in each'base member I8 and the U- shaped strap ZIproiectsthrough the aperture 34 in each plate 23. Thereafter, assumingthat the tubular members 13 have been secured to the tab e top H as described, it is only necessary to pass the ends of the tubular members I3 through the bridging portions 33 so that the latter embrace the-res ective tubular members I3. The hand screws 4| may then be tightened to secure the parts'in-position. The height of the table top-|| may then be adjusted by loosening the handscrews 4| soas to move the tubular members |3 relative to the support I2 until the table top' H is at the desired-height. After the table top has been positioned as desired, the hand screw 4| at each end of the support I2 is positively tightened. This construction also may be readily disassembled. This is an important feature since frequently it is desirable to dismantle tables and store them for later use. Thus, to disassemble the table, assuming that the rods I4 have been disconnected. it is only necessary to unscrewthe hand screws 4| from the bridging portions 33. The tubular members l3 may then be withdrawn from the bridging portions 33 and the bases 18 removed from the spreader I9. Since only two hand screws 4| have to be removed a minimum of time is required to eifect the 'disassembly of the table. The shape of the components also permits them to be readily stored in a minimum of space.

-As-can best be seen in Fig. 2. when the hand screws 4| are tightened, the latter engage the tubular members I3 at a point'intermediate the saddles-38 and 39. This arrangement is such that a force is applied intermediate the saddles which tends to urge the portion of the tubular member I3'between the saddles toward each plate 23-. The rigid edges of the plates defining the saddles 38 and 39 oppose this force and consequently each tubular member is securely held in lar members to be urged together in a tight fixed relation.

Spacing the saddles 38 and 39 relatively far apart and disposing the hand screws AI so that they engage the tubular members I3 bers are prevented from moving laterally or twisting. As a result the table top is rigidly supported".

From the above description and operation of applicants construction it is seen that adjustments may be efiected in a very simple-manner, since a single'hand screw 4| at each end of the support when in a loosened position permits the table top II to be adjusted to any desired height and when in a tightened position positively insures that the spreader I9, the base members I8 and the tubular members I3 are in a fixed position so that the table is rigid.

I claim:

1. In combination, a spreader supported at one end and having a projection at itsopposite end with an aperture extending therethrough, a base having a groove for receiving and supporting said opposite end of the spreader and an opening for receiving said projection, said base and said spreader interfitting to position the aperture in the projection on the side of the base away from the groove, spaced members mounted on the side of the base away from the groove, said members having notches arranged to be in alinement with said aperture in the projection, a rod for supporting a member in spaced relation to said spreader extending through said aperture in the projection and engageable with said spaced members, and adjustable abutmentmeans intermediate said members mounted on said projection and engageable with said'rod on the side thereof away from said spaced members to urge the rod into said notches into engagement with the spaced members and to force the base into tight assembled relation with the spreader.

2. In a table having a top, means for supporting the top comprising spaced rods arranged to be attached to the top, spaced base members each including a pair of legs, said legs having their lower ends shaped to rest on the floor and their upper ends in spaced relation, a plate having an aperture and disposed at one side of the upper ends of the legs for securing them together, the spacing between the legs defining with the associated plate a groove in each base member in communication with the aperture in the plate and facing the other base member, flanges on the upper and lower edges of each plate spaced relatively far'apart and inclined at an angle to the plane of the plate, said flanges having notches on their outer edge on opposite sides of said aper tures and shaped to receive one of said rods, a spreader supported by said base members and having its ends received in the grooves thereof, a projection at each end of the spreader shaped to extend through the aperture in the associated plate, each projection having an opening in alinement with the notches in the associated flanges and shaped to receive one of said rods, and a single hand screw mounted on each projection to be engageable with the corresponding rod on the side thereof away from that engaged by said flanges, said screws being movable between a position in which the rods are free to move relative to the plates to adjust the position of the table top and a position in which the base members, the spreader and the rods are simultaneously clamped in a fixed relation.

3. In a table having a top, means for supporting the top comprising spaced rods attached to the top, spaced base members each comprising inclined legs, said legs having one end shaped to rest on the floor and their opposite ends positioned to be in spaced relation, a plate disposed at one side of the opposite ends of the legs for securing them together and having an aperture, the Spacing between the legs defining with said plate a groove in each base member in communication with the aperture in the associated plate and facing the other base member, a spreader supported by said base members and having its ends received in said grooves, a projection at each end of the spreader extending through the aperture in the associated plate and having an opening therein for receiving one of said rods, spaced saddles positioned to be in alinement with the opening in the projection and shaped to engage the side of one of said rods, and a single manually manipulable adjustable abutment mounted on each projection to be engageable with the corresponding rod on the side thereof away from the saddles, each abutment being movable between a position in which the rod is free to move relative to the associated plate to adjust the position of the table top and a position in which the legs and interconnecting plate, the spreader and the rod associated with the abutment are simultaneously clamped in fixed relation.

4. In a table having a top, means for supporting the top comprising spaced rods arranged to be attached to the table top, spaced base members each having a groove facing the other base member and each having an aperture in communica- 1 tion with the associated groove, a spreader supported by said base members and having its ends received in said grooves, a projection at each end of the spreader extending through the aperture in the associated base member and having an opening therein for receiving one of said rods, spaced saddles on opposite sides of said aperture positioned to be in alinement with th opening in the projection and shaped to receive one of said rods, and a single adjustable abutment mounted on each projection to be engageable with the corresponding rod on the side thereof away from the spaced saddles, each abutment being movable between a position in which the rod with which it is associated is free to move relative to the associated base member to adjust the position of the table top and a position in which the associated rod is urged into tight engagement with the saddles, the associated base member, the spreader and the associated rod to simultaneously clamp the associated rod and base mem her and spreader in tightly assembled relation.

5. In a table having a top, means for supporting the top comprising spaced rods for attachment to the table top, a spreader, U-shaped straps extending axially of each end of the spreader comprising spaced legs and a bridging portion interconnecting said legs, said legs being positioned at each end of the spreader to receive one of said spaced rods therebetween, a base member at each end of the spreader having a groove for receiving the end of the spreader, each base member having an aperture for receiving the strap at the end of the spreader, spaced saddles on each base member on the side thereof away from the groove, said saddles being disposed on opposite sides of the aperture and arranged to be in alinement with the opening between the legs of the U-shaped members, said saddles being positioned to engage the rods on the side thereof away from said bridging portion, and an adjustable abutment mounted on each strap to engage the respective rod embraced thereby on the side thereof away from the saddles, each abutment being movable from a posiion in which the associated rod is free to move relative to the associated base member to adjust the position of the table top and a position in which the associated base member, the spreader and the associated rod are simultaneously clamped in a fixed relation.

6. In a table, the combination of a table top having a forward and a rearward edge, spaced base members disposed below said top and between said edges, each of said base members having a groove facing the other base member and each having an aperture in communication with the associated groove, a spreader supported by said base members and having its ends received in said grooves, a projection at each end of the spreader extending through the aperture in the associated base member and having an opening therein, spaced saddles on opposite sides of each aperture positioned to be in alinement with the opening in the projection, spaced rods having their lower ends shaped to extend through the openings and to be engaged by said saddles and their upper ends deformed to be adjacent the forward edge of the table top, means for effecting a pivotal connection between the rods and the table top adjacent the forward edge, a single adjustable abutment mounted on each projection to be engageable with the associated rod on the side thereof away from the spaced saddles to secure the base member, the spreader and the rod in a tightly assembled relation to maintain a preselected elevation of the forward edge of the table top, and an adjustable member connected between each base member and the table top adjacent the rearward edge for adjusting the elevation of the rear edge of the table independently of the forward edge while the latter is at a preselected elevation.

INGRAM V. STOVERN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 110,434 Clarke Dec. 27, 1870 246,554 Probst Aug. 30, 1881 439,159 Jones et al Oct. 28, 1890 521,619 Jordan June 19, 1894 542,528 Maltby July 9, 1895 1,301,953 Lewis Apr. 29, 1919 2,185,838 Duerr Jan. 2, 1940 2,200,227 Olson May 7, 1940 2,368,155 Nash Jan. 30, 1945 

